The year of storms and steroids

January 01, 2006|MILO F. BRYANT The Colorado Springs Gazette

Roy Williams won his first championship, and it was significant, even if only for Williams and his supporters. Bill Belichick won his third, and it too was significant. The list of champions could continue: San Antonio Spurs, Southern California, Chicago White Sox and University of Denver among others. All of them could claim dibs on being the biggest or most significant sports story of 2005. The NHL decided it would return after a season where billionaires squabbled with locked-out millionaires. That could've been the year's biggest story, too. Or, how about the psycho-melodrama created by Philadelphia Eagles star receiver Terrell Owens and his agent? That situation was bad enough to drive folks to watching actual soap operas. All the stories are significant. All are big. But the biggest stories of 2005 start and stop with an old nemesis and a couple of extremely angry women. Steroids in sports and hurricanes Katrina and Rita dominated the 2005 sports scene like no other phenomena. They affected our faith, simultaneously making us believe stronger in some and less in others. They affected our belief in the sound ethics and morals of fair play, too. They had us shaking our heads. We cried about the loss. We laughed at the testimony. Powerful winds and more powerful Gulf currents canceled seasons. Powerful injections made other seasons much better. Steroids and hurricanes, their effect will be felt for years. Just read what newly signed Seattle Mariners outfielder 34-year-old Matt Lawton had to say after he was caught using steroids. "The only embarrassment for me was having to tell my family how everything went down," Lawton told USA Today. "It taught me a lesson, and I'm very fortunate for the opportunity the Mariners have given me." No embarrassment for cheating the sport? No embarrassment for cheating his teammates and opponents? I can hear the apology now, "Ah mom, I took some steroids, you know, some veterinary stuff they give to big animals. I have to sit out 10 games now. I'm sorry. But, hey, what do you think about your mansion?" Lawton showed little if any concern about what steroids did to the game or young players watching the game. "What's the chances?" Lawton said, of getting caught. The sad thing is Lawton has cheating peers out there who care as little about cheating as he does. Maybe worse than steroids is what Katrina and Rita did to the Gulf Coast sports family. Tulane, a university in New Orleans, cut half of its athletic budget. Almost 100 athletes were out of a sport. Tulane's football team played 11 games in 11 stadiums. The University of New Orleans' athletic department sent six teams to five colleges. Numerous high school football teams throughout Louisiana lost their seasons. Many of the players, like their parents, left the area. And many will not return. However, the NFL announced on Friday that the Saints will return to Louisiana for the 2006 season. So, be happy for Williams, Belichick and all the other champions. Scorn Owens and his dodgy agent. But understand the most significant sports stories of the year were much more important to the future.